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For Immediate Release December 10, 2025

Every second counts in a bleeding emergency, especially in rural communities where emergency response takes time. On Nov. 24, SIH and the Region V Regional Hospital Coordinating Center (RHCC) delivered 85 Stop the Bleed (STB) kits and provided hands-on bleeding control training for 87 Vienna High School students and staff. The initiative ensures lifesaving equipment now spans every school building—and every school bus—across the Vienna School District.

The idea began when Vienna Police Officer and School Resource Officer David Stewart reviewed district emergency plans and noticed that while buildings were equipped, school buses were not. After discovering gaps, he contacted SIH to explore potential solutions.

“We always plan for what’s inside the building,” Stewart said. “I hadn’t really thought outside the box and looked at our transportation side, our school buses.”

SIH System Manager for Regional Healthcare Resiliency Arien Herrmann called this request a first for the region and one he hopes will inspire new approaches to community preparedness.

“We’ve distributed hundreds of these kits… I never thought to put them on school buses,” Herrmann said. “We want to see these Stop the Bleed kits become as readily available as AEDs today.”

During the training, students and faculty practiced critical skills including applying direct pressure, wound packing and tourniquet use. Vienna High School Nurse Sherie Smith said the experience helps overcome hesitations that can delay lifesaving action.

“Blood is always scary,” Smith noted. “As they get the training, they get their hands on the equipment, it provides a stronger sense of confidence that they could actually save a life.”

Students agreed. “It can definitely save a life; and to have so many provided for free, it’s awesome,” said sophomore Dawson Haynes.

With STB kits now placed throughout district buildings and school buses, Vienna students and educators are better equipped to respond in those crucial minutes before help arrives, strengthening safety where they live, learn and travel.